Hailey bids farewell

After a month-long farewell tour, recreation director Tommy Hailey received his final send-off Friday in front of his family and dozens of close friends and supporters.

Political correctness

The liberal world vision and reality are often at variance, as, for example, with equal pay for equal work.

It’s not nice to forget Mother Nature

My wife and I have been vacationing the past week in south Florida. On the first night of the eight-day trip, we took the hotel clerk's dinner recommendation and headed to the restored riverfront in historic Fort Myers.

Social Circle

If you were driving through the main street in Social Circle and blinked twice, you might miss the physical heart of the city.

Rotary

A sure sign of spring here in Covington and Newton County is the sweet smell of Vidalia onions.

Clip-on tie is the devil’s work

As a kid, I hated Sunday mornings with a passion I now reserve only for unimaginable evils such as genocide and raw onions. Sunday - "the day of rest" - was far from restful for me, and I blame it on a weekly ritual, "dressing up for Sunday school."

Americans want choices, not policies

There are many ways to describe the enormous gap between the American people and their elected politicians.

Cats and hamsters don't mix

I grew up with hamsters, so when my kid decided he wanted one for his birthday in December last year, I was totally OK with that.

Carolyn Nelson

Mrs. Carolyn Nelson, 74, of Oxford, passed away May 2.

Helen B. Kirkpatrick

Mrs. Helen B. Kirkpatrick, 85, of Covington, passed away May 3. She worked in the local textile mills for more than 46 years and was a member of Gaithers United Methodist Church.

Second-round bound

Alcovy baseball coach Casey Bates knew pitching would be key to his team's success in the Class AAAAAA playoffs, and the Tigers validated that claim in a two-game sweep of visiting Westlake Friday.

Top seed falls in first round

The No. 1-seed Eastside Eagles were upset by fourth-seed Troup County in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs Friday.

Newton County under flood watch

Newton County is under a flood watch until Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

US orders new visa reviews for arriving students

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Homeland Security Department ordered border agents "effective immediately" to verify that every international student who arrives in the U.S. has a valid student visa, according to an internal memorandum obtained Friday by The Associated Press. The new procedure is the government's first security change directly related to the Boston bombings.

Bombing probe takes investigators into Mass. woods

AHS learns dangers of DUI driving

More than 700 juniors and seniors at Alcovy High School filed into the school's auditorium on Wednesday afternoon to learn about making good decisions on prom night for their future at a program called "Ghost Out," put on by their peers and administrators at the school.

Bear Creek Reservoir moving forward

The proposed Bear Creek Reservoir in southern Newton County is still waiting on its federal construction permit, but the Board of Commissioners reaffirmed its support to build the reservoir as soon as possible.

The Mural

It was a warm, sunny day as Carol and Don mixed the colors and arranged the various brushes they would use to transform this blank side of the building into a advertising work of art.

Aldridge returned to Covington, Y

The Covington Y soccer program is becoming increasingly more competitive year after year. However, that is strictly a byproduct of the direction of the Y and its director of academy soccer, Austin Aldridge has been guiding the organization in.

Covington through the camera

Today, I took a stroll around our local communities. The first thing I notice is an owl perched on the corner on the First Baptist Church on Elm Street. I was excited to see such a rarity out in broad daylight so I snapped picture after picture amazed at how still he stood there and then I started to wonder why this owl wasn't moving; it just stood there letting me photograph him. After closer ...

Legion fairgrounds could be destination

The American Legion fairgrounds could be turned into a destination spot for concerts and other events if Covington City Council members get their wish.

Go-Kart facility could come to Newton

A $1 million go-kart track and rental facility could locate in Newton County if the Board of Commissioners decides to allow such companies.

Little Dawg: A band of artists

On a night when the news calls for storms and meteorologists issue area-wide tornado watches, I found David Clemens and the rest of the DC3 sitting on the upstairs patio at Jimbo's in Porterdale. The band was having a round of Pabst Blue Ribbon - the standard beer of choice in the music industry from what I've been told. Clemens hovered over a basket of fresh onion rings and he was quick to introduce the ...

Lelia Ruth Hebert

Mrs. Lelia Ruth Hebert, of Porterdale, died April 16 at Newton Medical Center. The daughter of George and Lucille Smith, she was born in 1930 in Conyers.

James C. Corry

Mr. James C. Corry of Covington, 85, passed away April 16. Mr. Corry was a veteran of the United States Navy. He was a member and Elder of Bethany Presbyterian Church. Mr. Corry was a Mason for more than 50 years and a member of the Golden Fleece Lodge No. 6, where he served as past Master in 1970. He retired from the Georgia Department of Transportation after 34 years of dedicated service. He was ...

Brad Curtis Boling

Mr. Brad Curtis Boling of Covington passed away April 17 at his residence. He was born in 1966 in Atlanta, the son of Charles Brent and Gloria Simpson Boling. Prior to his illness, Mr. Boling was very involved in his children's sports teams by coaching or helping in any area that was needed. He enjoyed working out and even continued through this past December. The beach and the lake were where he found his peace ...

Revised temp sign ordinance passes

Every business and organization in a commercial area in Covington will now be able to have one - and only one - temporary sign on its property at all times.

NMC Auxiliary annual gala set

The annual Gala benefiting Newton Medical Center will be held on April 27 at Twelve Oaks Bed and Breakfast on Monticello Street in Covington.

City to replace some parallel parking

The city of Covington is going to remove some parallel parking spots downtown and replace them with the diagonal parking spaces found elsewhere.

Out and about

In the sun for work and fun. I caught up with people working and playing in the sun.